Sex text shame MP Andrew Griffiths has told Tory Party colleagues he DOES want to stand for the Burton seat again at the next General Election.

The married father-of-one has said he intends to contest the seat after being asked by Tory association colleagues -unusually early ahead of any possible General Election - what he intends to do.

East Staffordshire Conservative Association had written to the MP asking if he wanted to be considered for the job - and now he has said yes, said an association spokesman.

It comes as the MP is the subject a national Tory Party investigation after he admitted exchanging 2,000 text messages, some of an explicit sexual nature, with two of his female constituents. In some the 47-year-old MP boasted about running the country, referring to himself as 'Daddy', and asking the women to beat each other.

The revelations in July sparked outrage with many calls for him to go. Mr Griffiths apologised to Prime Minister Theresa May, his family and constituents for his actions. He did stand down as Small Business Minister, but said he wanted to stay on as Burton's MP.

Andrew Griffiths (Image: Burton Mail)

The news that Mr Griffiths wants to fight on at the next General Election has come as a disappointment to Tory leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council Richard Grosvenor, who has claimed since the revelations that the town did not have a functioning MP.

The town's Labour opposition claimed that Mr Griffiths believes he is "untouchable" but warned he will have a shock should he get to the next election.

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In a rare early move, East Staffordshire Conservative Association wrote to Mr Griffiths asking whether he wished to stand again.

The association has now revealed the MP wants to reapply. Its executive council will now consider his application, but only following the conclusion of the national Conservative investigation into his conduct, which is due within the next two months. This investigation was launched after details of his sex texting was originally broken by the Sunday Mirror on July 15.

If the ruling association executive council was to vote not to accept Mr Griffiths as its candidate for the next General Election, he can request a ballot of every member of the association, which numbers around 300.

Should he be successful at a ballot, he would be fighting for a fourth term as Burton MP having first been elected eight years ago and last at the latest election in June, 2017. He currently has a comfortable majority of 10,000.

Conor Wileman, chairman of the East Staffordshire Conservative Association, told the Burton Mail: "East Staffordshire Conservative Association’s executive council asked Andrew to confirm in writing whether he would wish to re-apply for his position as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Burton and Uttoxeter. I have subsequently received a response from him, indicating that he wishes to reapply.

"In line with our constitution we now have a two-month window to hold our executive council meeting to consider Andrew’s application for adoption.

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"In order for this process to be conducted fairly, we are likely to await the findings of the Conservative Campaign Headquarters' investigation before we hold our executive council meeting. We expect the investigation to conclude before our window closes.

"In the meantime, Andrew’s office continues to handle casework and our councillors are always ready to help with local concerns."

As leader of the borough council Councillor Grosvenor is on the executive council but does get a vote.

Andrew Griffiths, MP for Burton (Image: Burton Mail)

He said: "It doesn't surprise me because Andrew made it pretty clear that he wished to be MP. He has gone away and had treatment so whether or not he gets that chance is a matter for the committee, I don't know.

"I am a little bit disappointed because if I was giving personal advice to him I would suggest he step away and sort out some personal issues.

"And given the public feeling Andrew should take that on board in his decision."

Tory councillor David Brookes, who represents Uttoxeter on Staffordshire County Council, said: "I am not surprised he is reapplying. If he wants to stand he will have to rebuild some bridges and regain the confidence of members which will be quite a challenge. It won't be easy for him.

Some of the messages sent by Andrew Griffiths (Image: The Mirror)

"Personally I want to see the outcome of the party investigation into what's happened before forming my own opinion on whether or not he should be the next candidate but as an MP he has fought hard for constituents and as a junior minister he has achieved quite a lot. People should not forget that."

Lynne Shelton, former Tory councillor for the Heath ward who now sits as an independent, claimed: "Andrew Griffiths will not get elected. Local people don't want him. It would be a big mistake for the East Staffordshire Conservative Association to approve him as their candidate, and would actually just confirm my reasons for leaving the association, local people deserve the right to be able to vote for honourable people of good moral standing.

"Andrew does not deserve the opportunity be elected into government again. In fact, he should resign now as I feel that there are some who may take the fact that there is no acting MP to bulldoze things through that our MP would normally challenge."

It was previously revealed that opposition parties were already getting their ducks in row early for the next election given the situation. UKIP already selected its candidate in Derby City councillor Alan Graves, while independent borough councillor Deneice Florence-Jukes has also declared an interest.

Labour has also applied to its national executive committee to select a candidate.

Paul Walker, chairman of Burton Labour Party: "I think it hasn't come as a surprise [the fact he has reapplied] knowing who he is. He thinks he is untouchable and thinks the people of Burton will vote for him and forgive him and personally I think he has a shock coming to him.

More of the texts the MP sent (Image: Mirror)

"Before that though, I think the association will dump him anyway as they will want to distance themselves from him."

The Burton Mail has contacted Mr Griffiths for comment.

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Here is what the people in Burton had to say:

Keith Staley , 68, Burton, said: "I think he will side-step it. I think he should resign, it should be for any indiscretion. I am surprised because anyone in that position should know better. They should behave themselves."

Keith Staley

William Hartshorn , 77, Stretton, said: "He shouldn't stand because of the things he has done. I wouldn't stand. I voted for him last time I certainly won't vote for him again after what he has done."

William Hartshorn

Declan Gilholy , 23, of Burton, said: "It is pretty disgusting. I think it is quite brave to reapply for it. I am surprised he is reapplying. When it came out I was in Blackpool and it came straight to my phone via social media. There would be very few who would vote for him."

Declan Gilholy

Victoria Heap , 21, of Burton, said: "I don't think he should stand because this has tarnished his reputation. I wouldn't vote for him. I am surprised about what he has done."

Victoria Heap

Andy Hamilton , 63, Burton, said: "I think he should be sacked. In any other line of work you would be sacked. I have seen the reaction online and it was uproar. I was in uproar. The problem is Brexit. I don't want Labour in. I have only voted a few times and I voted for Conservatives when I was in the Army as they paid my wages, but with Brexit I voted UKIP and now I think the Conservatives are backtracking on it. If there was a General Election I obviously wouldn't vote for Andrew Griffiths, I wouldn't vote Labour so I'd have to vote UKIP."

Andy Hamilton

Time Line

Vile messages from shamed Burton MP Andrew Griffiths

June 17

The day after he first contacted Imogen – Mr ­Griffiths made reference to the fact it was Father’s Day, adding: “Daddy’s get treats. Do you think Daddy deserves a treat?”

On the same day he appeared on a BBC political show. At 4.24pm he tweeted a message to followers thanking the NHS for the care they gave his daughter. But at the same time he was messaging Imogen, asking if she was into “older men”.

Then, at 4.30pm, he said his Father’s Day was going “perfectly”, before adding: “I just wish my little girl was sat on my knee. With those big t*ts in my face.”

June 23

Mr Griffiths offered to rent an apartment so he could meet the girls for sex.

June 24

He fantasised about violent sex with the girls, offering to buy matching outfits and to take them lingerie shopping. He said: “Daddy doesn’t know the prices of dresses and panties so why don’t you suggest a budget?”

"You knew I would see your post and it would wind me up. Didn't you?...All the guys perving over you."

June 25

Amid more explicit messages, he said: “Daddy has been up making speeches and running the country. But what he really wants to be doing is ******* naughty girls’ *******.”

June 26

At 7.02pm: "Ladies, I was in a meeting. I'm sorry I neglected you, but daddy can be very demanding. He's wanting more than what's on your insta (social media Instagram account used for uploading photos). Don't make daddy get the flogger out."

"Show daddy something filthy, I think Ive earned it."

"He also wired £200 to the girls for 'treats', saying: "A horny daddy is generous daddy."

June 27

He said he had been up making speeches and "running the country" but wanted to be "licking naughty girls".

July 4

At 9.28pm: "I want her to own you. I want her to tie you up and beat that gorgeous big ass while daddy watches."

"Imogen ****, it's about time you treated with some respect. I'm the boss here."

"Are you going to hold XXX down for me while daddy gives her a beating?"

"Did she properly belt you? I hope she bruised you."

"If you need money you just need to ask...it's fine, baby, tell me what you want and I will arrange something. But I'm going to need something f***ing filthy to put a smile on my face first, I want to see you both naked."

"Would you have thought I was such a naughty man?"

Other messages sent

"I'm the daddy with power. I'm the daddy with the naughtiest streak."

"I'm going to need something filthy to put a smile on my face. I want to see you both naked."

One of the MP’s payments was for Imogen to buy a dress. But he wrote: “Take off the bra & panties and I will transfer...you've got daddy in such a frenzy. If you look pretty in it , I want you to wear it often. I like you to turn heads.

“Make the vid and pics naughty and you can have your dress.”

"I'm going to bring you to London and do whatever I want to you."

"I'm thinking maybe we need a flat for daddy's girls. I'm taken by you both. You girls are spectacular."

He said of one video she sent that her spanking of a girl "was nowhere near hard enough. Can she take a beating? I have to be slightly careful in my job."